Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel May 6, 2008
Last night I saw Lisa Ling, investigative reporter for the National Geographic Channel and Oprah. She was part of the Smart Talk Women's Series and the first thing she'll tell you is that yes, she plans on reading Barbara Walters new book, she loved working on The View and no, she has never been one of Charlie's Angels.
But what she has done is nothing short of amazing. Lisa started her career at age 16 when she snagged a hosting role on "Scratch," a teen magazine show. She went on to become a reporter for Channel One News, which broadcasts to middle and high schools while working with Anderson Cooper. During this time she reported on cocaine processing labs, refugee crises and even managed to meet the Dalai Lama.
Her stories have taken her to Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, but a trip to North Korea was the most scary. With no contact with the outside world, she didn't know what was happening in the US and her family had no idea what she was going through. During this time she also co-authored Mother, Daughter, Sister, Bride: Rituals of Womanhood.
Some of Lisa's recent features have covered inside maximum security prisions, female suicide bombers, China's lost girls (China only allows 1 child, so families choose to keep boys and abandon the girls), women in prision and their children and a polygomy story she did weeks before the raid on the Eldorado temple.
Lisa Ling now has a blog and website who's mission is: I hope this site becomes a place for dialog and the exchange of ideas. I want to raise consciousness about issues and stories that don't always make the headlines. I believe that global awareness makes a person smarter and ultimately more human. I'm grossed out by what some "news" outlets masquerade as news. Mainstream media seems to cover international stories only when there's catastrophe or war. It's a shame.
Lisa has always been one of my mom's favorite people from her days at The View to her heart wrenching stories of women's plights around the world. Tonight I understood Mom's fascination with her. Watch the 10 second Drive by Video that Lisa did so you can see how gorgeous she is beside being brilliant.
Before Lisa's program, the lobby had several interactive displays. Check out these videos to see what I discovered while perusing the area.
Bottom Line: I did ask Lisa Ling if she read any books for fun, she she mentioned her favorite is Louis de Bernières' Captain Correlli's Mandolin, which is catagorized as a "historical romance, war story." Yes, Lisa definitely belongs here.
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Kristen Painter commented:
Look at you, hobnobbing with the media elite! lol I really enjoy Lisa Ling's stories - the North Korean one was indeed scary. How cool that you got to meet her!
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Kristen Painter commented:
Look at you, hobnobbing with the media elite! lol I really enjoy Lisa Ling's stories - the North Korean one was indeed scary. How cool that you got to meet her!
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Christy commented:
Oh, I remember Lisa Ling from Channel One during high school! Barb, you're having too much fun!
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Christy commented:
Oh, I remember Lisa Ling from Channel One during high school! Barb, you're having too much fun!
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Liz Kreger commented:
How awesome that you were able to meet Lisa Ling. I've been a long time admirer of hers but didn't realize she had her own site and blog. I'll definitely have to check that out.
Thanx for the heads up.
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Shari Anton commented:
Looks like you had a wonderful time at Lisa's talk! That desk looked really interesting. I don't suppose they let you take one home to test drive :).
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Jennifer LaBrecque commented:
That Smart Talk Women's Series is just the coolest. I always love hearing about the speaker. It sounds as if Lisa was fascinating.
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel joysannoh commented:
Interesting stuff, Barbara. Good blog today! Thanks!
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Amanda commented:
I'm loving these Drive by Videos. Nice short glimpses into what's going on. Keep 'em coming.
May 6, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Edie Ramer commented:
Lisa Ling does look gorgeous. So do you, Barbara. :)
I'll check out her blog. It sounds interesting.
May 8, 2008 In response to:Lisa Ling: Investigative Reporter, Not Charlie's Angel Marilyn AKA The Playground Monitor commented:
I saw that polygamy piece she did and it was great. Also saw one she did on couples who hire gestational surrogates in India. Lisa's not just a pretty face, though she COULD have been one of Charlie's angels.
Bottom Line: I did ask Lisa Ling if she read any books for fun, she she mentioned her favorite is Louis de Bernières' Captain Correlli's Mandolin, which is catagorized as a "historical romance, war story." Yes, Lisa definitely belongs here.
